Hyundai Accent Problems by Year

We compared every Hyundai Accent model year from 1995–2022 using 2,030 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 25 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2012, 1995, 2002 and 1996, which drew far more complaints than other Accent years at the same age. The best years are 2020, 2018 and 2021.

28model years
2,030complaints
25recalls
2012, 1995worst years
2020, 2018best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’2214210156476192112134373349438810110187381531417970102681931121617
Owner complaints per model year, Hyundai Accent. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202217−36%2ElectricalAverage
202116−54%4Seat BeltGood
202012−71%4EngineGood
201931−46%1EngineGood
201819−67%1EngineGood
201768typical—EngineAverage
20161021.4×—EngineAverage
201570typical2AirbagAverage
201479−44%1BrakeGood
20131411.2×1BrakeAverage
20121531.5×2EngineCaution
201138−53%1EngineGood
2010871.2×1BrakeAverage
20091011.2×2AirbagAverage
20081011.3×1AirbagAverage
200788typical3AirbagAverage
200643−49%3AirbagGood
200549−56%1HeadlightGood
200433−62%—AirbagGood
200337−54%—AirbagGood
20021341.6×1Fuel SystemCaution
20011121.4×2TransmissionAverage
2000921.3×4TransmissionAverage
199961−23%1TransmissionAverage
199847−37%1EngineAverage
199756−28%3EngineAverage
19961011.4×4SuspensionCaution
19951421.9×5SuspensionCaution

* Complaints compared with the median Accent year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Hyundai Accent problems

Latest Hyundai Accent recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

NHTSA recall 23V-651 · Sep 22, 2023 · 1,649,478 vehiclesPark outside

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2011-2015 Elantra, Genesis Coupe, Sonata Hybrid, 2012-2015 Accent, Azera, Veloster, 2013-2015 Elantra Coupe, Santa Fe, 2014-2015 Equus, 2010-2012 Veracruz, 2010-2013 Tucson, 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell, and 2013 Santa Fe Sport vehicles.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the ABS fuse, free of charge.

Seat belts › Front

NHTSA recall 22V-354 · May 19, 2022 · 230,233 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Accent, 2021-2022 Elantra, and 2021-2022 Elantra HEV vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will secure the seat belt pretensioner(s) with a cap, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 28, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

Steering › Column

NHTSA recall 22V-311 · May 6, 2022 · 2 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Accent vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 5, 2022.

Seat belts › Front

NHTSA recall 22V-218 · Apr 1, 2022 · 6,240 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Elantra and 2020 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver and passenger-side seat belt pretensioners may explode upon deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed on May 31, 2022.

Seat belts › Pretensioner

NHTSA recall 22V-069 · Feb 9, 2022 · 354 vehicles

Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Accent vehicles. In the event of a crash, the front driver-side and/or passenger-side seat belt pretensioner(s) may explode upon deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat belt pretensioners, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2022. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-371-9460.

All 25 Hyundai Accent recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Hyundai Accent should you avoid?

2012, 1995, 2002 and 1996 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Accent years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2012.

What is the best year for the Hyundai Accent?

2020 has the fewest complaints compared with other Accent years at the same age, followed by 2018 and 2021. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Hyundai Accent problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the air bags (434), engine & cooling (343) and brakes (267). Airbag complaints peak in the 2007 model year.

How many recalls has the Hyundai Accent had?

25 recalls across 1995–2022. The model year with the most is 1995. See all Hyundai Accent recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.